Topical Antibacterial
Reviews
3.5
20777 Reviews
Topical Antibacterial
Efficacy
54%
Based on All Available Studies
Strength of Evidence
1
2
3
4
5
Note: Benzoyl peroxide clears the skin completely when applied correctly.
Topical Antibacterial
Side Effects
Low-Medium
Topical Antibacterial
Acne.org’s Real World Take
It’s been a staple of acne treatment for decades for a reason. When used properly it can completely clear the skin. It is widely available and affordable. Comes with side effects for the first few weeks and can bleach fabric.
Topical Antibacterial
How to Get It
This is an over-the-counter treatment. Here are some places you can find it online.
Read All About Benzoyl Peroxide
Compare To Other Treatments
5
31.3%
4
25%
3
17.2%
2
12.5%
1
14%

Used Benzoyl Peroxide? Rate It:

Choose from 1 to 5 stars
June 29, 2010

Cons:

I ordered PRO-ACTIV and was charged more than I was originally told it would be and then when I went to cancel my account I was told I would be charged two more times without receiving additional products. My account has been charged four times already for the initial kit and one regular kit. I have tried to email the customer service department all day long today and they continue to send back the same standard form letter email without responding to my questions or rectifing the situation.

DON'T BUY IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! IT'S A SCAM!!!!!!
This Was Helpful

215 user(s) found this helpful

Report
January 4, 2017
Big Mistake
This review is long overdue for me. And very long. I apologize in advance but am hopeful that it will help anyone who is considering using this product. I started using this brand way back when it came out, over 10 years ago. This is when I was in my late teens and had what I now know to be mild acne. But you are so vain in your teens, you think your life is going to end. My mother got it for me after some celebrity on TV told her to and it worked. It did. But again, my acne was like a random pimple once ever 2-3 weeks. Nothing. Fast forward 10+ years, I have my first baby, my skin goes absolutely bonkers and I go from having beautiful clear skin that I took for granted to this face that I wanted to hide from everyone. It was a pretty desperate time for me. I have this new baby, I am stuck at home and I feel absolutely miserable and sorry for myself the majority of the days. My very first reaction was to go back to Proactive, because my memory of it was that it worked. I call and they tell me that what I used before wasn't available any longer and that I should try this suite of products. Sure, whatever, they are the experts right? I get it. And I get on their godforsaken re-occuring billing plan. At first, I didn't really have any emotions about the product. I do remember initially feeling that the new cleanser formulation was not very nice, I didn't like the residue it left on my face, it didn't lather as well' overall I just didn't like it as much as I remember liking it before. And my acne didn't get worse but it really didn't improve either so I was kind of like 'meh' on it. After about 2 weeks, my skin started getting extremely dry. Like cracking. Cracking skin on your face is not desirable if you ask me. Cracked, chapped, peeling and bleeding lips. The skin right under my eyes was turning scaley. I had to start using eyedrops for my eyes - they were so dry that I had trouble keeping them open for prolonged periods of time. At the urging of my husband, I finally went to the dermatologist because I never in a million years thought that it was due to the products I was using. In retrospect, that is silly that it wasn't obvious but it wasn't. The dermatologist recommended that I cease using all products for a week and see what would happen. Guys, I can tell you that within 1-2 days of not using Proactive nearly all of my symptoms went away. My skin just hated that stuff. I immediately called the company and explained what had happened and asked for a refund for the products I had been using, at least the most recent order and I cancelled my re-occuring billing. Or I thought I did. The person that I spoke with on the phone was so not helpful, I had to ask for a supervisor and then explain it to them all over again. The supervisor basically told me it was my fault for ordering the wrong product, that they would not return my money but they would cancel my billing. They were, hands down, the most anti-customer experience I have ever had with any company. Before I hung up, I told them that they could expect very bad reviews from me and there was little to no reaction. Lo and behold, the reoccurring billing was NOT cancelled, I had to call them AGAIN and tell them what happened. They told me I never cancelled it in the first place and if I wanted my money back from this latest shipment, I would have to ship it back to them at my own cost. WHAT?!! Only after me having a near breakdown on the phone did someone finally agree to just take it back without me having any out of pocket but I would still have to go through the hassle of shipping it back. Man - this is long. Sorry but it does get better. :) After that, I was bound an determined to bad mouth this company to anyone I could. I was so pissed! I remembered seeing reviews and came here. But after about 5 mins, I got side tracked and started looking for some product to help my still bad skin. There were lots of recommendations throughout but the one that stood out to me was one I had never heard of, called Ninja. What stood out to me was everyone kept talking about how awesome their customer service was. Given my latest experience, that is what I was looking for. So I called them and I am so so so happy I did. The reviews were not wrong - it is hands down the best customer service I have ever experienced and the products are killer. Within 2-3 weeks, my acne from the last 3 years was all but gone and they actually called me randomly to make sure that it was all going according to plan. What the what?! I had never expected that, I was stoked and had all but forgotten about Proactive. Until yesterday when my neighbor told me randomly that she had bought Proactive for her daughter. I was floored and realized that I never had posted that review of them and here you go - more people are getting sucked into their web. So Proactive - I told you I would tell people how you treated me and likely treat loads of other people from the looks of it. And here I am doing it! Don't use this product!! There are better ones out there!=
This Was Helpful

160 user(s) found this helpful

Report
September 20, 2009

Pros:

efficient, cleared my skin quickly, inexpensive,

Cons:

slightly drying if you do not use a moisturizer

I have tried everything including Proactiv, ProActiv Extra strength, Retina-A micro, topical prescription Tazorac, and Benzaclin amongst other face washes including Murad Acne, which have never cleared my face completely for at least one week straight.. So far the Panoxyl has cleared my skin completely along with my back and chest leaving my skin clear, smooth , soft and beautiful. I use the Panoxyl 10% bar soap for my face, back and chest, then a toner, then put on Panoxyl 10% treatment foam on my face, back and chest followed by a light moisturizer as needed on my face.
This Was Helpful

148 user(s) found this helpful

Report
November 23, 2014
After Math
So, When I used x-out it worked great, it dried out my skin though, nothing face lotion can't help. I have never had bad acne, just one or two little pimples or zits, here and there that I wanted to be rid of. Well, I decided that x-out was more of a treatment for a lot of acne.. I was drying out my face for no reason. So I decided to stop using it. About 3 or 4 days after, I broke out with like 10 zits. I have never had this bad of acne, they put something in here that makes you break out worse when you stop using the product. Which is bullsh*t. I don't think it's fare to trick people, and mess up their self image over a measly 20$... So not worth the aftermath. Using Neutrogena now.. They deserve the star, because it works when you use it, but miss a day and watch out..
This Was Helpful

117 user(s) found this helpful

Report
September 27, 2009

Pros:

I used it for a day n its rough NON SCENTED SOOO GOOOD

Cons:

none right now its drying but i like dat costy VErY

good very
This Was Helpful

114 user(s) found this helpful

Report
January 7, 2010

Pros:

Inexpensive, over the counter, convenient, no smell, rinses clean

Cons:

Can be over drying

I have used, and have been prescribed pretty much EVERYTHING that I could to try to rid of my moderately severe acne. My last try before Accutane was PanOxyl. I have been using PanOxyl 10% for the past 2 weeks and have had remarkable results. I actually stopped taking Solodyn, and using my Retin-A because I was sure PanOxyl was working for me. I don't recommend coming off of your prescription for this product. But I highly recommend this product. It is a must try. I have been on doxy, tetra, monodox, bactrim, retin-A, solodyn, triaz....and so on. This is the only thing that has stopped my cystic acne from spreading on my face. I no longer feel pimples coming on. You know that occasional stinging or itch you feel when you know another one is on its way. Well, I can actually feel this medicine heal from the inside out. I was already using the Triaz 6% facial cloths when I began using PanOxyl. I felt that uping the percentage of Benzoyl Peroxide to 10% would amp the results. Well lo and behold it worked! I was such an avid fan of salicylic acid til I learned the difference that Benzoly Peroxide can make on my face. Please please please try this product. Its a defintie God send. My face was really broken out around my jawline and cheeks were super red and inflamed. It almost looked as if I was getting a combo of acne and rosacea. But PanOxyl made the difference along with prayer. I prayed God would heal my face or would lead me to a product that would help rid me of heart breaking and traumatizing acne. I hope this is OUR cure. Be blessed and never give up hope.
This Was Helpful

104 user(s) found this helpful

Report
March 14, 2010

Pros:

I was hesitent with some reviews i read on here at first such as drying up your skin. never happend to me. It actually cleared up my skin within 3 months as stated by my pharmacist. you have to be patient people. it's been nearly 2 months since my skin cleared up, and i've only got 2 minor pimples! definately recommend!

Cons:

nothing that i found?
i found when i first began using it and was reading the reviews, alot of people stated that they received dry skin?i didn't experience this maybe becasue of the moisturiser i used (cetaphil). the only form of skin drying i could think of is at the very neginning of using this product, the skin on top of my pimple peeled off. but that was part of the renewing process, so no need to be alarmed

BTW,i use the facewash¬ the cream. my pharmacist stated it was better because it was for the whole face.As it sort of had a bleaching agent,it would have lighten the whole face and not only where the pimple is.I started using this product on Oct 31 2009. in the first 4 weeks, i was breaking out&i was worrying that it wasn't working but making it worst!however,that is the process of benzac, your skin breaks out as it is in the process of renewing the skin.it quickens the development of the pimple.By the end of Jan, my skin was clear! i had a few scars but most scaring had cleared up compared to the biginning.Since then,i've only got 2 pimples.Very small in comparison to when i had acne. However,i wouldn't say that benzac was the reason why my skin is so clear now.Before using it,i used Cetaphil as a cleanser&during Dec, i incorpporated WitchHazel&the aspirin mask. This is what my routine is: WHEN I HAVE NO MAKEUP(morning & night): -cleanse with Benzac face wash(it states on the bottle to leave on for 30 secs but i leave it on for atleast 2 mins as i find it makes the renewing process faster.i also thought that since you could leave it on for a while with the cream,why not the facewash?) -tone with witchhazel(priceline should stock it) -moisturise with cetaphil. MAKEUP(when i use makeup during the day, this is what i do at night-time): -cleanse twice with cetaphil to remove makeup -cleanse with benzac(leave on face for atleast 2 mins) -tone with witchhazel -moisturise with cetaphil in addition to these, i would do an aspirin mask(some peole do it every 2-3 days, i'm too busy so i try to get it done atleast once a week).i buy a cheap brand of aspirin(hombrand/coles).you place 3 tablets into a small bowl,add 2 drops of water, crush them,add honey&spread onto face. i leave it on my face for 25mins and then i would wask&exfoliate at the same time.aspin=salicylic acid which prevents pimples. I know this is long, but i hope it
This Was Helpful

93 user(s) found this helpful

Report
September 27, 2009

Pros:

- It came as a complete kit
- The infomercial gives a good placebo effect (i.e. making you believe it will work)
- Clear instructions

Cons:

It didn't work for me, made my acne worse. It was very expensive. It only sells via tv and one online store over here. It didn't last nearly as long as indicated. Rereading the info off their website makes me feel cheated.

Even though it didn't work and made my acne worse I must admit i'm glad I tried it. Now I know it doesn't work for me, and can move on to other cheaper options. I guess it works for some people, but reading the reviews here really makes me wonder how they can claim to be so successful.
This Was Helpful

87 user(s) found this helpful

Report
August 17, 2014
proactiv
I used ProActiv a while back and it was not a pleasant experience. My skin burned, itched, turned red. And on top of all that, it was abnormally dry [shocking because I've never had dry skin in my life]. I desperately needed something to get rid of my acne [which was located mostly on my forhead area] ... ProActiv was terrible, as I mentioned before. So I decided to buy the Citrus Clear Sensitive Kit (Face Wash & Moisturizer), and this was the best decision ever. I noticed results as soon as 2-3 days. My acne is all gone now. It's only 2 steps, whereas ProActiv was 3. My skin is great right now
This Was Helpful

86 user(s) found this helpful

Report
August 20, 2010

Pros:

Dries acne FAST, makes face feel smooth, reduces redness.

Cons:

Very drying, small tube (expensive).

This stuff works. It's a miracle. I've used Proactiv, Acnefree, and all the expensive 10% PM creams. This cream has done more in one day that everything else did in years. I started using it this afternoon and by night, my face was much less red-looking. The pimples I had are dry and almost gone. My face feels smooth and I feel more confident already. I can't wait to see the results when I keep using it consistently. Just try it. Don't buy the intense 10% BP stuff. This stuff is mild and and makes skin feel amazing. Seriously, it's amazing. Just buy it.
This Was Helpful

81 user(s) found this helpful

Report

Finding a Doctor

The right dermatologist can make a big difference to your patient experience and the success of your acne treatment plan. Here are the steps to find a dermatologist who is a good fit:

  1. Use the search feature on the American Academy of Dermatology website to look for board-certified dermatologists in your area, and filter the search results for doctors with a special interest in treating acne.
  2. Read online patient reviews of any dermatologists you are considering and ask people you know whether they have any experience with these dermatologists.
  3. Do your research and go to your first appointment with questions prepared.
  4. Listen to what your gut feeling tells you once you see a dermatologist in person. If you are not completely comfortable, try a different dermatologist.

Finding a Doctor

Only a select few plastic surgeons specialize in acne scar revision surgery. Be certain to find a provider who specializes in acne scar repair and who is passionate and experienced in this area.

Be sure to:

  • Look at before and after photos, the more the better, especially patients with similar scarring to your own.
  • Be realistic about results. Look for improvement, not a cure.

Questions to ask a potential scar revision specialist:

  • Are you board certified? Be certain that they are board certified.
  • How long have you been performing these procedures? Normally, the more experience the better, however, some younger surgeons may be more on top of the latest procedures.
  • Can I speak to some of your other patients? Ask for references for several patients who had similar scarring and speak to them about the process and their satisfaction with results.

Red flags:

  • Their story changes: As you discuss different treatment options, if they tend to change their mind easily, or agree with whatever you say, consider this a red flag. A confident, experienced surgeon will possess strong, unwavering opinions.
  • Your gut tells you "no": Trust your gut. If you just don't feel that the doctor is the right fit, trust that and move on. On the other hand, if you feel they are the perfect specialist for you, trust that feeling.